In a significant step that will bring cheers to the Gallantry Award winners of both pre and post Independence period, the Government today announced substantial increase in the monetary allowance to personnel of the Armed Forces, who had won the laurels in the line of duty. The proposal for the increase, which has been 100 per cent or more in all cases, was initiated at the direction of the Defence Minister AK Antony.

The Government has also decided to grant monetary allowance at enhanced rate of Rs. 500/- per month to the Sena / Nao Sena / Vayu Sena Award Medal awardees, where the awards have been given for Gallantry. This will be payable to those who have been given these awards on January, 26, 1999 or thereafter.